Art Matters

By Art UK

What's Art Matters about?

A podcast exploring the interesting ways art meets popular culture and non-traditional art topics... We look at what art history and visual culture can tell us about the world around us, and how our everyday interests make us excellent art critics. Hosted by Ferren Gipson.

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Art Matters episodes:

10.27.2020
Art at the Olympics ft. Margaret Timmers – Episode 68
Author and curator Margaret Timmers offers a brief history of art in the modern Olympics, from art events to poster designs.
10.13.2020
The Art of Love ft. Kate Bryan – Episode 67
Art historian and presenter Kate Bryan shares some of the artist's love stories from her book 'The Art of Love'.
09.29.2020
The Artistry Behind Maps ft. Nick Millea – Episode 66
Map Librarian Nick Millea discuss the history of map-making and the artists who have explored maps as a subject.
09.15.2020
Poster Designs for the London Underground ft. Matt Brosnan – Episode 65
Head Curator at the London Transport Museum Matt Brosnan takes us on a journey through the history of London Transport poster designs.
09.01.2020
Art Good Enough to Eat ft. Tasha Marks – Episode 64
Artist and food historian Tasha Marks discusses the history and symbolism of food in art.
08.18.2020
1666 – A Year of Plague, Fire and War Told Through Art ft. Rebecca Rideal – Episode 63
Historian Rebecca Rideal talks through artworks and illustrations to show explain how fires, plague and war made 1666 one of the most dramatic years in British history.
08.04.2020
Psychoanalysing Art ft. Vanessa Sinclair – Episode 62
Psychoanalyst Vanessa Sinclair explains how Freud and psychoanalysis inspired the art of the Surrealists.
07.21.2020
Art and Advertising ft. Michele Bogart – Episode 61
Michele Bogart discusses the relationship between artists and ad design since the late nineteenth century.
06.16.2020
Soul of a Nation ft. Zoé Whitley – Episode 60
We speak to Director of Chisenhale Gallery Zoé Whitley about her work co-curating the 'Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power' exhibition and art in the context of Black Lives Matter.
06.02.2020
The Art of Twentieth-Century British Railway Posters ft. David Bownes – Episode 59
We speak to David Bownes to learn about the history of British railway poster artists and how poster designs developed over the twentieth century.
05.19.2020
An Introduction to Classical Mythology in Art ft. James Cahill – Episode 58
Writer and classicist James Cahill gives an introduction to mythological themes in art.
05.05.2020
Fashion from the Canvas to the Silver Screen ft. Raissa Bretaña – Episode 57
Raissa Bretaña tells us how costume designers look to art history to inspire the fashions for films set across history.
04.21.2020
The Beauty in Beasts ft. Giovanni Aloi – Episode 56
We speak to Giovanni Aloi to discover why animals have inspired artists for thousands of years.
04.07.2020
Presidential Portraits (Part 2) ft. Kim Sajet – Episode 55
Director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Kim Sajet discusses the origins of the gallery and presidential portraits. (Part 2)
03.24.2020
Presidential Portraits (Part 1) ft. Kim Sajet – Episode 54
Director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Kim Sajet discusses the origins of the gallery and presidential portraits. (Part 1)
03.10.2020
Demystifying Tarot Art ft. Rachel Pollack – Episode 53
Tarot expert Rachel Pollack discusses the origins of tarot cards and how artists have engaged with tarot iconography since the 15th century.
02.25.2020
How the Bank of England Design Banknotes ft. Sarah John, Jenni Adam and Debbie Marriott – Episode 52
We took a trip to the Bank of England to find out about the new J. M. W. Turner £20 note and how money is designed. Guests include Chief Cashier Sarah John, Bank of England Museum Curator Jenni Adam, and...
02.11.2020
Reflecting 'Madness' in Art ft. Anna Jamieson – Episode 51
We speak to Anna Jamieson about early representations of mental illness in art and how this has developed over the centuries.
01.28.2020
The Art of Disney Animation ft. Charles Solomon – Episode 50
Animation critic and historian Charles Solomon tells the story of early Disney cartoons and how fine art inspired the films we've come to love.
01.14.2020
The Vagina Museum and Vulvas in Art ft. Sarah Creed – Episode 49
We dive into the story of vaginas and vulvas in art with the help of Sarah Creed, curator of the newly-opened Vagina Museum in London.
12.17.2019
Journey to the Moon ft. Melanie Vandenbrouck – Episode 48
Take a mental journey to the moon with this discussion on how our lunar companion has influenced artists across centuries.
12.03.2019
Art and Innovation at World Fairs ft. Caroline A. Jones – Episode 47
Caroline A. Jones gives a history of the origins of the world's fair and how art factored into displays industry and innovation.
11.19.2019
Finding More of Britain's Lost Masterpieces ft. Bendor Grosvenor – Episode 46
We speak to Bendor Grosvenor, co-host of 'Britain's Lost Masterpieces' to discuss the latest series.
11.05.2019
The Monuments Men and Preserving Art During War ft. Robert Edsel – Episode 45
Discover the story of the museum and cultural professionals who joined the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program during the Second World War to help protect heritage sites and cultural objects. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-the-monuments-men-and-preserving-art-during-war
10.22.2019
The Art History of Witches ft. Deanna Petherbridge – Episode 44
We discuss the long history of depicting witches in prints and painting with artist and art historian Deanna Petherbridge.
10.08.2019
The Black Presence in European Painting ft. Michael Ohajuru – Episode 43
Michael Ohajuru discusses the journey of the presence of black figures in European art history.
09.24.2019
Harlow the Sculpture Town ft. Kate Harding – Episode 42
Discover the history behind the UK's (possibly the world's?) online Sculpture Town with guest Kate Harding. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-harlow-the-sculpture-town
09.10.2019
Beauty and Power in Art ft. Jon Sleigh – Episode 41
Jon Sleigh draws connections between beauty and power across art history.
09.03.2019
BONUS EPISODE – Chatting ‘Mrs. Lowry and Son’ with director Adrian Noble
There’s a new film out titled Mrs. Lowry and Son telling the story of beloved Mancunian artist L. S. Lowry and his relationship with his mother. The film is directed by Adrian Noble, while Lowry is played by Timothy Spall...
08.27.2019
Writing About Great Women Artists ft. Rebecca Morrill – Episode 40
We chat to Rebecca Morril, the Commissioning Editor (Art) at Phaidon, about the new book 'Great Women Artists', which highlights over 400 women artists across 500 years. We dive into why now was the right time to publish this book...
08.13.2019
Music Theory, Maths and Elevating Visual Art ft. Peter Vergo – Episode 39
Art historian Peter Vergo explains how music theory and mathematical ratios inspired artists for centuries as they aspired to elevate the status of visual art. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-music-theory-maths-and-elevating-visual-art
07.30.2019
The Art of Stamp Design ft. Paul Skinner and Antonio Acala – Episode 38
This episode explores the history of stamps and the stamp design process, featuring guests Paul Skinner, Lead Curator for Philatelic Collections at the British Library, and Antonio Acala, Art Director for the U. S. Postal Service. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-the-art-of-stamp-design
07.17.2019
The Story of Emoji
Architecture & Design Collection Specialist at the MoMA Paul Galloway talks us through the history of emoji and how the Museum of Modern Art came to add them to their design collection. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-the-story-of-emoji
06.17.2019
Decoding Astrology in Art ft. Klemens Ludwig – Episode 36
We speak to Klemens Ludwig, astrologer and author of the book 'Astrology in Art', about the long history of astrology and how artists have engaged with the signs and symbols of the zodiac. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-decoding-astrology-in-art
06.04.2019
Let's Talk About Erotic Art ft. Dr Alyce Mahon – Episode 35
Curator and author of the book 'Eroticism & Art' Dr Alyce Mahon discusses the subject of eroticism in western art. We find out how to look beyond iconography like nude figures to find ideas around sexuality and love. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-lets-talk-about-erotic-art
05.21.2019
Artists of Classic Ladybird Books ft. Helen Day – Episode 34
Uncover the stories of the artists behind classic Ladybirds Books children's readers like 'Peter and Jane', and find out how the First and Second World Wars influenced the development of the publishing house. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-artists-of-classic-ladybird-books
05.07.2019
The Magic of Fairy Tales in Art ft. Dr Michael Newton – Episode 33
Dr Michael Newton to guides us through the magical world of fairy tales so we can explore how the stories have inspired artists and writers since the seventeenth century.
04.23.2019
An Introduction to the Camp Aesthetic ft. Zorian Clayton – Episode 32
Ahead of the 2019 Met Gala themed on 'camp', curator Zorian Clayton helps explain the origins of the camp aesthetic, how it's developed and where to look for it within fine art. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-an-introduction-to-the-camp-aesthetic
04.09.2019
Talking Art with Russell Tovey – Episode 31
We sit down for chat with actor and art collector Russell Tovey. Surrounded by some of the beautiful pieces in his collection, we discussed his ever-growing passion for art, the new 'Talk Art' podcast, which artist he’d love to paint...
03.26.2019
How Blind and Partially Sighted People Engage with Visual Art ft. VocalEyes – Episode 30
We speak to Anna Fineman and Sally Booth from the charity VocalEyes to learn about how blind and partially sighted people engage with visual art materials and institutions. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-how-blind-and-partially-sighted-people-engage-with-visual-art
03.12.2019
Forgotten Women Artists ft. Zing Tsjeng – Episode 29
This week we speak to Zing Tsjeng, UK editor for Broadly and author of the 'Forgotten Women' series, about how women's contributions can get lost in history and discuss some brilliant women artists you may not have heard of. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-forgotten-women-artists
02.26.2019
Rediscovering Colour in Classical Sculptures ft. Cecilie Brøns – Episode 28
Step into the Technicolour world of polychromy as we speak to Cecilie Brøns, Senior Researcher at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen, about colour classical sculptures from Ancient Greece and Rome.
02.12.2019
Art on the Underground ft. Eleanor Pinfield – Episode 27
We speak to Head of Art on the Underground, Eleanor Pinfield, to find out the long history of the Tube's collaborations with artists and see what has the team 'on edge' in 2019. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-art-on-the-underground
01.29.2019
The History of Paint by Number ft. William L. Bird, Jr. – Episode 26
Time travel back to the 1950s with us as we look into the history of the paint by number craze with our guest, William L. Bird, Jr. Find out how the art hobby became so popular, inspiring artists like Warhol...
01.15.2019
The Pre-Raphaelites’ Relationship with Science ft. Dr John Holmes – Episode 25
We speak to John Holmes about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's use of scientific methods in their art practice. What was the extent of their relationship with science, and how can we see their work in a new context if we re-examine...
12.11.2018
Weird, Dark and Wonderful Victorian Christmas Cards ft. Greg Jenner – Episode 24
We speak to author and Historical Consultant for the award-winning BBC series 'Horrible Histories', Greg Jenner about weird and wonderful Christmas cards from the Victorian era. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-weird-dark-and-wonderful-victorian-christmas-cards
12.04.2018
Lost Art, Forgeries and the Theft of the ‘Mona Lisa’ ft. Dr Noah Charney – Episode 23
We speak to art crime specialist Noah Charney on lost art, stolen paintings and why art crimes are the third highest grossing criminal trade behind drug and arms dealing. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-lost-art-forgeries-and-the-theft-of-the-mona-lisa
11.13.2018
Artists as Book Illustrators ft. Jaleen Grove – Episode 22
We speak to Jaleen Grove – artist and researcher in the history of illustration – about fine artists who've illustrated books, and why there's historically been a distinction been artists and illustrators. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-artists-as-book-illustrators
10.30.2018
How Alfred Hitchcock Created Artful Suspense ft. Joel Gunz – Episode 21
We chat with writer and self-proclaimed Alfred Hitchcock geek, Joel Gunz, about Alfred Hitchcock’s deep love of art and the ways the director worked with artists to incorporate fine art references in his iconic films. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matters-podcast-how-alfred-hitchcock-created-artful-suspense
10.16.2018
Black Women Artists and #blackgirlmagic ft. Bee Tajudeen and Rosa Uddoh – Episode 20
We speak with curator Bee Tajudeen and artist Rosa Uddoh about what #blackgirlmagic means and what it means to be a black woman working in art.

What's Art Matters about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Art Matters episodes:

Art at the Olympics ft. Margaret Timmers – Episode 68

The Art of Love ft. Kate Bryan – Episode 67

The Artistry Behind Maps ft. Nick Millea – Episode 66

Poster Designs for the London Underground ft. Matt Brosnan – Episode 65

Art Good Enough to Eat ft. Tasha Marks – Episode 64

1666 – A Year of Plague, Fire and War Told Through Art ft. Rebecca Rideal – Episode 63

Psychoanalysing Art ft. Vanessa Sinclair – Episode 62

Art and Advertising ft. Michele Bogart – Episode 61

Soul of a Nation ft. Zoé Whitley – Episode 60

The Art of Twentieth-Century British Railway Posters ft. David Bownes – Episode 59

An Introduction to Classical Mythology in Art ft. James Cahill – Episode 58

Fashion from the Canvas to the Silver Screen ft. Raissa Bretaña – Episode 57

The Beauty in Beasts ft. Giovanni Aloi – Episode 56

Presidential Portraits (Part 2) ft. Kim Sajet – Episode 55

Presidential Portraits (Part 1) ft. Kim Sajet – Episode 54

Demystifying Tarot Art ft. Rachel Pollack – Episode 53

How the Bank of England Design Banknotes ft. Sarah John, Jenni Adam and Debbie Marriott – Episode 52

Reflecting 'Madness' in Art ft. Anna Jamieson – Episode 51

The Art of Disney Animation ft. Charles Solomon – Episode 50

The Vagina Museum and Vulvas in Art ft. Sarah Creed – Episode 49

Journey to the Moon ft. Melanie Vandenbrouck – Episode 48

Art and Innovation at World Fairs ft. Caroline A. Jones – Episode 47

Finding More of Britain's Lost Masterpieces ft. Bendor Grosvenor – Episode 46

The Monuments Men and Preserving Art During War ft. Robert Edsel – Episode 45

The Art History of Witches ft. Deanna Petherbridge – Episode 44

The Black Presence in European Painting ft. Michael Ohajuru – Episode 43

Harlow the Sculpture Town ft. Kate Harding – Episode 42

Beauty and Power in Art ft. Jon Sleigh – Episode 41

BONUS EPISODE – Chatting ‘Mrs. Lowry and Son’ with director Adrian Noble

Writing About Great Women Artists ft. Rebecca Morrill – Episode 40

Music Theory, Maths and Elevating Visual Art ft. Peter Vergo – Episode 39

The Art of Stamp Design ft. Paul Skinner and Antonio Acala – Episode 38

The Story of Emoji

Decoding Astrology in Art ft. Klemens Ludwig – Episode 36

Let's Talk About Erotic Art ft. Dr Alyce Mahon – Episode 35

Artists of Classic Ladybird Books ft. Helen Day – Episode 34

The Magic of Fairy Tales in Art ft. Dr Michael Newton – Episode 33

An Introduction to the Camp Aesthetic ft. Zorian Clayton – Episode 32

Talking Art with Russell Tovey – Episode 31

How Blind and Partially Sighted People Engage with Visual Art ft. VocalEyes – Episode 30

Forgotten Women Artists ft. Zing Tsjeng – Episode 29

Rediscovering Colour in Classical Sculptures ft. Cecilie Brøns – Episode 28

Art on the Underground ft. Eleanor Pinfield – Episode 27

The History of Paint by Number ft. William L. Bird, Jr. – Episode 26

The Pre-Raphaelites’ Relationship with Science ft. Dr John Holmes – Episode 25

Weird, Dark and Wonderful Victorian Christmas Cards ft. Greg Jenner – Episode 24

Lost Art, Forgeries and the Theft of the ‘Mona Lisa’ ft. Dr Noah Charney – Episode 23

Artists as Book Illustrators ft. Jaleen Grove – Episode 22

How Alfred Hitchcock Created Artful Suspense ft. Joel Gunz – Episode 21

Black Women Artists and #blackgirlmagic ft. Bee Tajudeen and Rosa Uddoh – Episode 20